Display structure

ABSTRACT

A display structure particularly for the display and sale of cosmetic products and products in general, in stores such as beauty stores and/or multi- or mono-brand stores, comprises at least one pair of guide elements ( 2 ) assembled in a cabinet and adapted to support one or more modular plate display elements ( 3 ) that are also directly interchangeable by store personnel.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The subject matter of the present invention is a display structure, particularly for the sale of cosmetic products and in general, also applicable in other product sectors.

The structure forming the subject matter of the present invention is best applied in the cosmetic sector for displaying products for sale in beauty stores and/or multi- or mono-brand stores.

Currently, in this sector the various products on sale, such as lipsticks, mascara, make-up bags, etc., are displayed in modular containers, trays or similar structures, which are positioned side by side and allow the creation of a display area for one or more product families in display cabinets present in the store.

The aforesaid display systems are restricted by the modular dimensions of the tray/display unit and it is not possible to exploit the depth of the cabinet used.

A further drawback of conventional display systems consists of the fact that the area and volume occupied by the structure cannot be fully exploited.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The aim of the present invention is to provide a display structure consisting of interchangeable modular elements and that can be easily assembled and disassembled.

Within this aim, an object of the invention is to provide a display structure that can be provided in different combinations of elements and with different dimensions according to the needs of the final user.

In particular, an object of the invention is to provide, inside the display structure, seats with shapes and sizes suitable to receive products of a different shape and size, rapidly and directly during installation of the display unit in the store.

Another object is to provide a structure that can be easily assembled in the store.

A further object of the invention is to provide a structure that makes it possible to fully exploit the depth of the cabinet on which it is arranged, according to needs and without restrictions.

Another object of the invention is to provide a structure that makes it possible to update, change, modify and rapidly move the display geography, to adapt it to different products.

A further object of the invention is to provide a structure that can be modified directly by store personnel.

Another object of the invention is to provide a structure that is easy to clean and maintain.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a structure that offers a considerable saving also on an economic level, reducing the use of raw materials and the related processing operations.

Due to its particular construction features, the present structure is able to offer the broadest possible guarantees of reliability and safety in use.

This and other objects, which will become more apparent below, are achieved by a display structure according to claim 1. Further embodiments of the invention are apparent from the remaining claims.

Thanks to the display structure of the invention, the user is able to prepare and update the seats for the products to be displayed directly in the store, thereby making it substantially compatible with all shapes and with all possible sizes of products to be displayed for sale, even subsequently to its manufacture.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further features and advantages of the subject matter of the present invention will be more apparent by examining the description of a preferred, but not exclusive, embodiment of the invention, illustrated by way of non-limiting example in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a guide element;

FIG. 2 is a front view of the guide element;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the guide element;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional axonometric view of the structure, shown in the step of attaching the display plates;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the display plates in the position of use without products;

FIG. 6 is the same sectional view as FIG. 5 but with the products for sale inserted;

FIG. 7 is another sectional view showing a possible different arrangement of products in the structure;

FIG. 8 is another sectional view showing a possible different arrangement of products in the structure;

FIG. 9 is a sectional view showing a configuration of the structure that offers the possibility of highlighting and/or protecting some products for sale;

FIG. 10 is a sectional view showing a configuration of the structure that offers the possibility of providing communication elements in augmented reality;

FIG. 11 is an axonometric view showing a possible assembly configuration with several guide elements to create a complete display unit;

FIG. 12 is a plan view representing a display surface composed by side-by-side positioning of several modular display kits comprising display plates and/or accessories;

FIG. 13 is an axonometric view of a guide element provided with a low voltage electrified bar to supply electrical parts;

FIGS. 14 to 18 show further variants of the display structure of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

With particular reference to the numerical symbols of the aforesaid figures, the display structure according to the invention, indicated as a whole with the reference numeral 1, comprises at least two guide elements 2, adapted to support one or more display plates 3.

Each guide element 2 has a plurality of steps or grooves 4 adapted to support the edge of a plate 3 or of accessories (25,26,9,10,11,34,35).

The figures schematically represent a possible section of the guide element that must be considered purely indicative and can change according to need.

The guide elements can be mounted in a storage cabinet 5, consisting of side walls 6 and of a supporting surface 7.

FIGS. 5 and 6 schematically represent a possible section of the assembled object consisting of the overlapping of plates 3 in different positions on the guide elements 2.

FIG. 4 schematically represents a possible axonometric cross section of the object during assembly.

FIGS. 6, 7 and 8 show some of the numerous and different configurations of the structure that can be adapted to display products, generically indicated with the reference numeral 8, of different size and kind.

In particular, it can be observed from FIGS. 5 to 8 how, by suitably selecting the positioning height of the plates 3 on the guides 2 and also maintaining any transverse alignment (vertical in FIGS. 5, 6, 7 and 8) between the apertures of different shape on overlapping plates 3 (quadrangular 20, small circular 21, large circular 22, elongated 23 of FIGS. 5, 6, 7, 8 recessed or raised, blind or open) it is possible to construct, at the time of installation of the display structure, seats for accommodating products 8 of different shape and height and other generally different dimensions. According to the case, the support for the products 8 can either be provided on a corresponding closed portion of a plate 3 placed in a raised position on the guides 2 (FIG. 7), or directly on the bottom of the structure of the display unit (FIG. 8). The aforesaid apertures can therefore be in the form of blind recesses, such as containers for storing a powder product, or raised or projecting, with different shapes and provided frontally with a blind seat for descriptive glass panels or to accommodate powder products (FIGS. 5, 6). A similar structural solution can also be provided on the intermediate plates 3, to increase the flexibility for positioning products of different kind (FIG. 6).

The upper plate 3 can be positioned as the closing cap of the display surface, to obtain a better side-by-side positioning of different assemblies of modular display elements and to obtain a seamless display surface.

Therefore, the display unit of the invention allows the user to prepare and size the seats for the products to be displayed, directly at the time of installation of the display unit, making it substantially compatible with products of any shape and size, even subsequently to the manufacture of the display unit.

The particular structure of the guides allows plate kits and/or accessories to be assembled and positioned in predetermined positions and at different heights to obtain dedicated seats by exploiting the overlapping on several levels.

The invention makes it possible to change the length and depth of the basic display kit system for any type of product.

According to needs, the plates 3 and/or the accessories are positioned on the supports 4 which are necessary and ignoring the others.

FIG. 9 shows an example of the available accessories, in this case a showcase or illuminated glass case 9 that offers the possibility of highlighting and/or protecting some products for sale.

FIG. 10 shows a further example of available accessories, in this case an LCD monitor or other type of multimedia reader 10 provided with hotkeys 11.

FIG. 11 represents an axonometric view of a possible assembly configuration of multiple guide elements 2 to create a complete display unit obtained by positioning several pairs of guide elements 2 side by side.

FIG. 12 represents an example of display surface composed by side-by-side positioning of several modular display kits, in this case comprising display plates 3 and accessories such as showcases or illuminated glass cases 9, screens 10 with related hotkeys 11, or visuals 35.

The invention makes it possible to obtain a high display flexibility that can be modified rapidly and extremely easily according to need.

FIG. 13 represents a guide element 2 arranged to accommodate a low voltage electrified bar 13, for example 12 volt, adapted to supply electrical parts, such as lighting systems, videos, screens, video cameras, etc.

In the variant shown in FIGS. 14 to 18 raised frames are assembled on the guides 2, fitted onto one or more pairs of parallel guides 2 to modify the planarity of the display surface. The aforesaid frames can either have sloping sides, such as the one indicated with 25, or sides that are straight or have the same height, such as the one indicated with 26 in FIGS. 14-18.

In the first case, the upper plate 3 that forms the closing cap of the display surface is positioned sloping on the respective frame 25, while in the second case the upper plate 3 is parallel to that of the inner plates 3. The closing plates 3 can accommodate monitors 34 as in FIGS. 12, 14, 15 or images as in FIGS. 12, 16 and 17.

Therefore, the display structure of FIGS. 14, 15, 16, 17 and 18 provides for insertion of the aforesaid raised frames, which have the function of raising the display surface or in any case of modifying its planarity. The accessories are fitted in turn simply and rapidly onto the guides 2, exploiting the same couplings used to fix the inner plates 3.

FIGS. 14-15 show a possible series of accessories 25 and 26 fitted onto parallel guides, while FIGS. 16 and 17 show a large communication area 35 in one piece or composite, which occupies a space between several parallel guides and applied to the described raised frames 26.

FIG. 18 shows the assembly of a large display plate 3 assembled on the frames 26.

The guide elements 2, the plates 3 and the accessories can be produced by extrusion, injection moulding, blowing, thermoforming or other processing and construction techniques.

The material used can be plastic, brass, wood or other materials.

The different sections with different heights make positioning of the plates 3 or of the accessories simple and precise.

The shape could be with steps, with stops, with magnetic locking, with dowels, etc.

Fixing systems (such as teeth, undercuts, grooves, magnetic systems) can be provided in proximity of the changes of section, allowing simplified interchangeability of the parts.

The upper plate can be fixed as a cap to obtain better side-by-side positioning of the kits and obtain a seamless display surface between kits positioned side by side.

The changes of section can also be obtained by means of simple positioning supports.

The system of guides and the plates can be provided with feed systems with tab or support, price holders, flag holders and all that may be of use to improve the display and sale features.

The display structure forming the subject matter of the present invention is assembled by arranging the guide elements longitudinally parallel to one another, fixing them to the cabinet of the store.

The particular structure of the guides makes it possible to assembly and position plate kits and/or accessories in predetermined positions and at different heights to obtain dedicated seats exploiting overlapping in several levels.

The invention thus makes it possible to avoid the use of conventional modular containers (display tray/unit). Instead of sending an assembled module (display tray, display unit, etc.) to the store, a compact plate kit is sent.

Once the kit has been positioned on the guides, the overlapping in several levels makes it possible to obtain the tray/module/display unit exploiting for its construction a fixed part already arranged in the cabinet, i.e., the parallel guides 2.

By positioning several plate kits side by side, a display line for the sale of products is obtained.

By overlapping several pairs of guides with the related plate kits, large surfaces are obtained for the creation of more complex display geographies.

By eliminating the restriction of the conventional tray/display unit, it is possible to exploit the depth of the cabinet according to needs and without restrictions.

This means, for example, that it is possible to completely embed the sales stock in the structure, obtain recessed glass display cases or provisional display solutions with a temporary effect.

Facilitated positioning of the plate kits makes it possible to ship, update, change, modify and quickly move the display geography.

The invention makes it possible to change the length and depth of the basic display kit system for any type of product.

The operations can be carried out directly by store personnel.

The display surfaces can be disassembled for easy cleaning and maintenance.

The only restriction is dictated by the distance between the two parallel guides, which is fixed.

However, the overlapping of several pairs of guides also makes it possible to modify the width of the display surface, thus obtaining large areas equipped according to needs.

The guide elements can be shaped according to needs and can be made of plastic materials by injection or extrusion techniques, or any other production technique required to obtain the necessary technical features.

The guide elements can be made in one piece or in more or less modular pieces according to needs.

The invention can be provided with various accessory elements:

-   -   display accessories made of plastic material (shelves,         containers, etc.);     -   elements for showcasing the products on sale such as transparent         windows, interchangeable messages and images;     -   sloping or flat raised parts;     -   electrified tracks inserted in the guides for the insertion of         lighting and/or technological systems for communication, etc.

This electrification can also allow illumination of the plate kits and/or accessories to obtain truly flexible and diversified display surfaces.

Besides providing the technical improvements listed above, this solution makes it possible to obtain savings also on an economic level.

The invention reduces the use of raw materials and the related processing operations.

The shipping volumes required to produce/update the display units decrease and as a result so do the related logistics costs.

The display structure is simplified and enhanced by new display solutions.

It has been seen in practice that the invention achieves the intended aim and objects.

In fact, a display structure has been provided consisting of a kit composed of plates and/or accessories applied to at least two parallel guides assembled in a display cabinet in the store.

The plates and/or the accessories can be easily disassembled and re-assembled on the guides.

The structure according to the present invention exploits a fixed part of the display unit, consisting of the guide elements, to obtain a base module for the display of products for sale.

The plates and/or accessories can be shipped to distant places to be easily positioned by sales personnel in a system of specifically structured guides.

Once positioned on the system of guides, the plates and/or accessories can exploit the whole of the depth of the guides and of the display unit without the restrictions of a base module already assembled and put together.

The plates and/or accessories assembled on the system of guides can be positioned side by side to produce a more complex sales display line.

The plates and/or accessories can be overlapped to obtain large display surfaces with complete and complex sales geographies.

By positioning several pairs of guides side by side, it is possible to expand the display surface also in width.

The upper plate of the display kit can be provided as a “cap”, making it possible to obtain a seamless display surface.

The plates and/or accessories can be easily disassembled and re-assembled from/on the guides for updating or cleaning or for configuration changes of the structure.

The guide elements can accommodate low voltage power systems to supply illuminated parts, display screens, videos and/or particular accessories to highlight products and sales.

The components of the structure can be made by means of injection moulding, but also with other processing and construction techniques.

Advantageously, the components of the structure can be made of plastic material, but also with other types of materials.

The guide elements can have a linear, or circular, quadrangular, rectangular, pentagonal, elliptical shape, etc.

The guide elements can have changes of section according to needs and can be provided with fixing systems for the plates and/or the accessories, obtained by supports, undercuts or teeth, magnets, etc.

The display structure forming the subject matter of the present invention allows the plates or accessories to be completely interchangeable.

The guide elements can have modular sizes and therefore consist of one or more pieces to allow them to be easily positioned side by side to create equipped display lines.

The guide elements can comprise systems for fixing accessories and is extra components, such as crowners, flags, lighting systems, etc.

The invention thus conceived is susceptible to numerous modifications and variants, all falling within the scope of the inventive concept.

Of course, the materials used, as well as the dimensions, can be any according to need. 

1-11. (canceled)
 12. A display structure particularly for the display and sale of cosmetic products in storage cabinets for stores such as beauty stores and/or multi- or mono-brand stores, characterized in that it comprises at least one pair of guide elements (2) assembled inside side walls (6) or on a surface (7) of said storage cabinet (5) and adapted to support one or more modular plate display elements (3) having recessed or raised apertures or shapes, either blind or open (20,21,22,23), said plates (3) being assembled overlapping and mutually spaced on said guides (2) preserving the transverse alignment between said apertures of overlapping plates (3), thereby forming seats for accommodating the aforesaid cosmetic products (8) having different shapes and sizes.
 13. A structure according to claim 12, characterized in that said guide elements (2) are arranged parallel to one another and comprise supporting means (4) susceptible to engage said modular display elements (3) at different heights in a transverse direction and at different distances in a longitudinal direction.
 14. A structure according to claim 13, characterized in that said guide elements can be assembled inside a storage cabinet (5), also already present in said store.
 15. A structure according to claim 14, characterized in that more than two guide elements (2) are arranged parallel to one another to create a display unit.
 16. A structure according to claim 13, characterized in that said guide element (2) is arranged to accommodate an electrified bar (13) adapted to supply electrical components.
 17. A structure according to claim 12, characterized in that a plate (3) can be fixed as a cap on said guide elements (2) to obtain improved side-by-side positioning of several assemblies of modular display elements (3) and to obtain a seamless display surface.
 18. A structure according to claim 12, characterized in that it further provides at least one raised frame fixed to the aforesaid guides (2) that is fitted on one or more pairs of parallel guides (2) to modify the planarity of the display surface.
 19. A structure according to claim 18, characterized in that said raised frame is a frame (25) with sloping sides or a frame (26) with straight sides, the aforesaid frames (25,26) being closed at the top by a respective plate (3) forming a closing cap.
 20. The structure according to claim 12, characterized in that it comprises a modular display element (25,26) having accessories such as frames or raised elements fitted on one or more pairs of guides (2).
 21. The structure according to claim 20, characterized in that said accessories comprise at least one raised frame (25,26), a showcase or illuminated glass case (9), a screen or monitor (10,34), and related control means (11), visuals or images (35). 